DoD News

News Article

One Soldier Killed, Five Wounded in Fallujah Attack

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2003  One soldier was killed and five wounded in an attack in the Baath party stronghold of Fallujah early today local time, U.S. Central Command officials said.

The soldiers were with the 101st Airborne Division and attached to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Officials said an unknown assailant fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the men. Names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The attack occurred despite the buildup of American forces in the area. DoD officials said there are many sympathizers of Saddam Hussein's regime in the city, which is located about 40 miles west of Baghdad.

On May 27, two soldiers were killed and nine wounded in another attack on an American unit in Fallujah. Soldiers killed two enemy and captured six others in that engagement.

CENTCOM officials said that units of the 3rd Infantry Division moved to Fallujah to reinforce the American presence there.

The command also said it has Ayad Futayyih Khalifa al-Rawi, No. 30 on the Iraqi "Top 55" list, in custody. Al-Rawi was the chief of staff of the Al Quds Force, a paramilitary group in Saddam Hussein's regime.